Report cites strife in UNR police unit

RENO -- A report by a consulting firm says the University of Nevada, Reno police department is "nearly crippled" by internal dysfunction and a "bunker mentality" among the ranks.

"We found the culture of the organization to be rife with toxic language, which often happens when co-workers allow themselves and one another to descend into personalized attacks, conspiracy theories and other such negative counterproductive, and more often than not, unfounded choices," said the report by The Results Group of Hood River, Ore..

The firm specializes in working with law enforcement agencies and was paid $30,000 to help the department improve performance and address personnel problems.

It was hired by the UNR administration after a letter of no-confidence seeking the removal of Police Chief Adam Garcia was signed earlier this year by 10 of the department's 16 officers and all four sergeants.

The report said the negative environment affects police safety because "a distracted cop is a cop at risk."

Garcia said the divided nature of his department existed before he became chief six years ago.

Garcia said change began with a reorganization last week that eliminated some supervisory positions to increase the number of officers on patrol from 17 to 21.

"We've already begun increasing the lines of communications among members of the department," he said.

Garcia said he welcomes the report.

"I think it gives us a good starting point to move into the future," he said.

The Results Group's 63-page report said the UNR department "is certainly not the worst we have seen, yet, with ample opportunities to become one of the best we have seen and a nationwide model to be emulated by other universities."

To make that change, the report recommended, "Those who remain with police services need to ... worry less about what the university is going to do for and to them and more about what they're going to do for the university and its constituents."

The report also recommended that employees who continue to perpetuate negativism and character assassination or hinder the ethics, mission and goals of the department need "to be immediately provided with career development in finding another career."

Ron Zurek, vice president of administration and finance at UNR who oversees the police department, said reorganization of the department is a major step toward improving the atmosphere within the department and service to the campus community.

Garcia is not in danger of losing his job, he said.

"We're hoping he will provide the leadership and continue to move the department forward," Zurek said.